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NU President Hank Bounds speaks
to the 600-plus University of Nebraska
retirees, representing all four campuses
and a range of academic disciplines, who attended
the annual retiree luncheon May 27 in LaVista.

A thank-you to NU retirees

LaVista | May 27, 2015

You might be surprised to know that the biggest event of the year – by far – for the University of Nebraska president’s office is our annual luncheon for NU retirees. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with more than 600 retirees who collectively gave countless years of service to the university over their careers.

Our retirees are a diverse group: former faculty and staff, representing all four university campuses and a wide range of academic fields. Some retired within the past year, while others left the university many years ago. What they share is a passion for the mission of the University of Nebraska to impact the lives of our students and people in our state and around the world. These former employees laid the groundwork for the momentum we enjoy today and I am grateful for their contributions – which certainly make my job a little easier!

I enjoyed the opportunity to share a few comments about my vision for the university to be a giant in higher education, doing even more to serve Nebraskans and others. I talked about the transformative power of higher education through a personal lens, recalling my upbringing on a small Mississippi farm where going to college seemed almost an impossible dream. College changed my life and I know it can change the lives of others.

As I told our retirees, the University of Nebraska has the potential to be a global leader. We need to pick a few areas where we think we can be the best – water and agriculture, early childhood, national security – and then focus our efforts accordingly. I like to say a rising tide lifts all boats. When we lead the global conversation in key areas, the entire university will benefit.

I sincerely thank University of Nebraska retirees for their ongoing engagement, interest and contributions to the university. Without them, we wouldn’t be in the position we are today. I hope they share my excitement for the future and that they will continue to support Nebraska’s public university. Our best days truly are ahead of us.

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NU President Hank Bounds addresses guests
at the May 20 Nebraska Breakfast in
Washington, D.C. Members of Nebraska’s
congressional delegation are seated to his left.

Nebraskans on Capitol Hill

Washington, D.C. | May 18-20, 2015

What an honor to visit our nation’s capital and spend time with members of Nebraska’s congressional delegation. I and members of the Board of Regents who joined me in Washington thank our representatives for meeting with us and engaging in productive and collaborative discussions.

I want the University of Nebraska to dream big – and I was thrilled that our congressional delegation displayed the same enthusiasm for our potential for leadership in areas like medicine, agriculture, national security and other areas that matter to our state and the country. Working together with our federal partners, I am confident the university will continue our upward trajectory. My vision is for the University of Nebraska to be a giant in higher education, and Congress – which makes vital investments in research and student financial aid – will play an important role in our success.

One of the highlights of my trip was when Congressman Jeff Fortenberry graciously yielded his time to me at the Nebraska Breakfast, the weekly breakfast our delegation hosts for constituents visiting the capital. By the time I wrapped up my remarks, we had run out of time for the Congressman to walk us through his presentation on the nation’s budget! I’ll make time for that on my next visit – and greatly appreciated the opportunity to say a few words about my excitement for the future of the university.

We also had the opportunity to meet with some key thought leaders in higher education, including Terry Hartle, senior vice president in the Division of Government and Public Affairs at the American Council on Education, with whom we discussed issues related to affordability, campus safety and financial aid. We met with Tony Carnevale, director of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, who provided excellent insights into our role in preparing the skilled employees who are more in demand every day.

Thanks again to Nebraska’s congressional representatives for all they do on behalf of the people of our state. I’m excited to return to Capitol Hill soon.

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President Hank Bounds makes remarks at
lunch during TEDxLincolnWomen, held May 28at Nebraska Innovation Campus in Lincoln.

TEDxLincolnWomen – inspiring women and girls here and around the world

Lincoln, NE | May 28, 2015

I was pleased to be a part of today’s sold-out TEDxLincolnWomen event at Nebraska Innovation Campus. The theme of “Momentum” perfectly fit our venue – the university’s research and development campus that will soon be bustling with activity by students, faculty and private sector workers.
I joined 400-plus guests in listening to local leaders talk about the significant impact that women and girls can have in the world. We heard from Krupa Savalia, an M.D./Ph.D. scholar and former student regent from UNMC, about working with life’s unexpected outcomes.

Krupa is one of our best and brightest – exactly the type of student we want attract to the university – and it was a joy to hear her speak.
Councilwoman Leirion Gaylor Baird talked about the intriguing link between physics and city planning – showing that Lincoln’s success and development is no accident. Climate activist Kim Morrow shared her thoughts on being a moral leader and climate advocate, and Prairie Schooner managing editor Ashley Strosnider explained why it matters who decides what you’re reading.

The focus on women’s ability to make an impact was timely and relevant. Women control $20 trillion in annual consumer spending, and are out-pacing men in educational attainment. Women and girls really can change the world…a fact made clear by today’s speakers.
I left TEDxLincolnWomen feeling even more inspired and excited about the future of the university, our city and our state. We’ll need the talents and ideas of all members of our community to keep our momentum going. I am convinced our best days are ahead of us.

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NCTA: Open access, high quality & Nebraska-focused

Curtis, NE | April 14, 2015

Welcome to Curtis, Neb...where you can drink a glass of the best-tasting rural water in the country and ride your horse anywhere as long as you stay off the golf course. I’d been looking forward to my visit to the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture for quite some time, and the tour and luncheon with faculty, staff and students arranged by Dean Ron Rosati and his team didn’t disappoint.

NCTA plays a unique and important role within the University of Nebraska, offering affordable two-year programs that meet the needs of our state’s agricultural workforce. New and innovative academic programs are underway, including those in irrigation technology and urban agriculture, and the college’s growth – both in terms of enrollment and its physical presence – is impressive. Taken together, there’s a real sense of momentum and possibility on campus that came alive for me as I listened and learned from students and employees. Students showed me what they’re learning in horse training, equine care and animal handling courses, and I got a firsthand look at the work being done by talented faculty and staff…including a surgery on a cat who’d eaten a penny! While I was touring, it was bathtime for a large snake named Monte. I passed…this time.

With my own background in agriculture, I understand well the vital role agriculture plays in ensuring Nebraska’s continued economic strength. The 380-plus students enrolled at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture should be congratulated for choosing to pursue their education in a field where the jobs are good and demand is high. NCTA is enjoying great success in meeting workforce needs and forming mutually beneficial partnerships with industry leaders, including the Nebraska Cattlemen, Farm Bureau, Corn Growers Association and the Wheat Board, that advance Nebraska agriculture. This campus is on an exciting trajectory. I can’t wait to return!

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On top of the world…

North Platte | April 13-14, 2015

What a treat to end Day 2 of my Nebraska tour with dinner at the beautiful Golden Spike Tower, which offers a panoramic view of the world’s largest railyard. The scenery was stunning, the food was delicious, and the conversation with university stakeholders was rich and engaging. My thanks to those who participated, including the Chairman of the Board of Regents, Bob Phares, who hosted us in his hometown.

The next morning, to kick off Day 3 of my tour, I had breakfast with faculty and staff from our West Central Research and Extension Center. WCREC was created more than a century ago to study water – and we’re still doing that today (along with many other disciplines). In fact, in 2015 our focus has never been more important. The world needs someone to lead the conversation about using our water resources more efficiently and productively, and I believe the University of Nebraska can be that leader. We need to own the global conversation on water. From what I saw in North Platte, we are in a great position to do that. I had the opportunity to hear from several faculty members about their research in beef nutrition and reproduction, entomology and other areas critical to the success of Nebraska agriculture. I even got to tour WCREC’s wind tunnel, which fosters important research related to pesticides, weather and more.

I’m grateful to the faculty and staff who joined me for dialogue, and in particular to those who took time to show me around WCREC and give me a taste of their research. The West Central Research and Extension Center, the university’s “front door” in West Central Nebraska, is meeting important needs in this part of the state and I am impressed with what I saw. The work being done here could not be more timely or locally and globally relevant.

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Photo credit KRVN

Continuing west

Lexington & Gothenburg | April 13, 2015

After leaving Kearney, we were back on the road, heading west toward North Platte. En route, we made a quick stop at KRVN radio in Lexington for a meet-and-greet with the news team and community leaders. I had a great time visiting with news director Dave Schroeder, checking out the station and meeting people who care about their university and its role in serving agriculture in particular. You can see more from my KRVN visit here.

Next, we visited the Monsanto Water Utilization Learning Center in Gothenburg. Located on a 324-acre research farm, the learning center is focused on helping farmers achieve their yield and productivity goals with an emphasis on water use. It fosters important research in water and agriculture and also serves as a learning center for members of the media, the public and others interested in these critical topics. The sustainable use of water for agriculture, of course, is a high priority on the University of Nebraska’s research agenda and one in which we are positioned to take a global leadership role, through our Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute and other efforts. Seeing the Monsanto center made me more convinced than ever that Nebraska can make a real difference in meeting the world’s water and food needs.

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Experiencing #LifeAsALoper

Kearney, NE | April 13, 2015

It’s a great time to be a Loper. That much was clear during my visit to the University of Nebraska at Kearney today, where faculty, staff, students and stakeholders gave me a very warm welcome. And I loved being greeted by the Archway on my drive into town! There’s a real sense of energy and momentum on the UNK campus, and for good reason. UNK is doing more than ever to serve the Kearney community and the region – meeting student needs, producing talented graduates, driving the economy and enriching the quality of life for Nebraskans.

The campus is an educational and economic hub for rural Nebraska. Many Lopers come from rural communities, not unlike the one I grew up in back in Mississippi, and are the first in their family to go to college. That 70 percent of UNK undergraduates receive financial aid is a testament to the campus’ commitment to access. The education that these students receive when they arrive on campus is second to none, thanks to talented faculty whose first priority is serving students. And we are working hard to expand their opportunities even further. The Health Science Education Complex, a joint effort of UNK and UNMC opening later this year, will make way for many more nursing and allied health students who can help meet critical workforce needs in rural Nebraska. Discussions are underway between UNK and UNL for joint engineering programs that will create a more robust pipeline of STEM workers for our rural communities. Both of these are excellent examples of cross-campus collaboration that demonstrate that the University of Nebraska really is one university.

The campus’ footprint is expanding, too. The new University Village, a public-private, mixed-use development which will transform the way UNK interacts with the Kearney community, represents an exciting opportunity for UNK to enhance its role as a hub of regional economic growth. The Board of Regents recently approved the anchor project for University Village, a student residence complex, and it will be exciting to see this development get underway.

Many thanks to Chancellor Kristensen for hosting me on his campus today, and to all the students, UNK colleagues and community members who joined me for an engaging discussion about UNK’s opportunities for the future – and how we can share the story of UNK’s success even more widely. Next year, UNK will celebrate its 25th anniversary of becoming part of the University of Nebraska system. I can’t wait to see what kinds of success stories we’ll be telling in another 25 years. UNK’s future is bright!

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Raising Nebraska, and Nebraskans

Grand Island, NE | April 13, 2015

What a way to start Day 2 of my Nebraska tour. The Raising Nebraska site in Grand Island – a collaborative effort of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the State Fair – was unlike anything I’ve seen. I hope every Nebraskan will take the opportunity to visit this facility to learn how food gets from the farm to our tables. The exhibits are interactive, fun and educational. I got to “walk” my 1,500-mile travel route on an interactive map…a less demanding experience than driving it! An engaged and impressive group of community leaders and university stakeholders joined me and our Regent host, Kent Schroeder, for breakfast at Raising Nebraska and we had a productive dialogue about the university’s momentum and opportunity.

My next stop was Grand Island Senior High School, where I talked to sophomores about the power of higher education to change their lives. This is a topic that’s close to my heart. I’ve been fortunate to experience a transformation in my own life because of education and now I want all young people to have that same experience – whether it’s at the University of Nebraska, our excellent state or community colleges (like Central Community College in Grand Island), or some other institution. The point is that students should work hard, find a school that meets their needs, and take the opportunity to discover their passions. I was fortunate to be joined at Grand Island Senior High by Kayla Lindell, an alum who’s currently a sophomore at UNK studying middle education. Kayla is the first in her family to go to college, an impressive young woman with a bright future, and her story was a great inspiration to the students in the auditorium. I thank Kayla for returning to her alma mater today to share her experience, as well as GISH Principal Jeff Gilbertson and his staff for hosting us.

Before I hit the road for Kearney, I stopped by the Grand Island Independent to meet with editorial leaders and staff. We had a great dialogue about some of the current issues in the community and my initial priorities for the university. My thanks to publisher Don Smith and his team for welcoming us into the newsroom.

Amazing how a short time in one community can introduce me to so many important stakeholders: community leaders, university friends and alumni, current and prospective students, members of the news media. It was time well spent. I look forward to returning soon – hopefully with my family to the State Fair in a few months!

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A dialogue with Nebraskans

Fremont & Columbus | April 12, 2015

After leaving Mead, we were back on the road to Fremont, where I was welcomed by a great crowd (and delicious treats from Alotta Brownies) at the beautiful Gallery 92 facility. I shared my thoughts on what attracted me to the NU presidency – starting with the deep connection the people of Nebraska have to this institution – and our responsibility to do even more to grow enrollment, help students graduate on time and with less debt, conduct research in relevant areas like water and agriculture, and continue the good work of Nebraska Extension in serving people across the state. I’m glad I came prepared with my pen and notepad, because our friends in Fremont gave me thoughtful ideas on how the university can be even more successful going forward.

Next up was Columbus, where the stunning Evans House hosted us for a roundtable discussion with local business and education leaders followed by dinner with university stakeholders. Our roundtable, which focused on opportunities and challenges Columbus is facing in growing its economy, provided me with some important insights. I learned, for example, that there are hundreds of available jobs in Columbus… we just need to make sure we’re producing talented workers who can fill those jobs. The University of Nebraska should be playing a leading role, building on the work of our colleagues in K-12 and partners in the community college system to produce skilled graduates who can meet workforce needs in our communities. I’m grateful to the Columbus leaders who took time on a Sunday evening to have a candid discussion with me. I look forward to continuing our dialogue about how the university can support their efforts to build a competitive economy and increase educational attainment in Columbus.

After dinner, we hit the road again, bound for Grand Island. On the way, I witnessed a gorgeous sunset… a reminder of how blessed I am to call Nebraska my new home. Tomorrow I have a full day of sessions with stakeholders, faculty, students, community members, the news media and others, including a visit to the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a stop at a local high school. I can’t wait to meet with current and prospective students, who are the primary reason I do what I do.

Thanks to new friends in Fremont and Columbus for such a warm welcome on Day One of my Nebraska tour, and a special thanks to Regent Jim Pillen of Columbus for hosting our activities and keeping the conversation lively. On to Day Two!

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Solving the ag challenges of tomorrow, with research today

Mead, NE | April 12, 2015

And we’re off! Today I began a six-day road trip across Nebraska that will help me get to know the state I now call home. Over the next week, I’ll visit roughly 20 Nebraska communities to talk to a diverse range of citizens about how we can work together to build an even stronger university. I have lots of ground to cover in the days ahead, but I’m energized by the opportunity to listen and learn from people who care deeply about the future of their university – faculty and students, agricultural and business leaders, donors and alumni, farmers and ranchers, and community members across this great state. Their passion for, and investment in, this university is inspiring.

It was fitting that I began my tour at our Agricultural Research and Development Center in Mead – the site of important research in crop production, horticulture, beef, forestry, climate and other areas tied to our goal to sustainably meet the global food, fuel and water challenges of the future. The University of Nebraska can and should be a leader in this effort. My tour of the facilities and dialogue with ARDC faculty and staff told me we’re headed in the right direction. Many thanks to Mark Schroeder, director of the center, and Dave Varner, interim director of the Southeast Research and Extension Center, along with many others, for showing me around and giving me a firsthand look at the work being done in Mead. I especially enjoyed the chance to get outside and see the feedlot research that Galen Erickson is conducting. I also got to check out the Mobile Science Lab – a classroom on wheels that serves the community. Innovative and fun! It’s just one example of the work of Nebraska Extension, whose role I believe has never been more important. Our Extension educators are helping farmers, ranchers, teachers, business owners and many others across Nebraska be more productive and efficient, and they play a vital role in the success of our communities. I thank them for what they do. We were joined for lunch by a number of NU stakeholders, including Sen. Jerry Johnson, and I appreciated the opportunity to dialogue with them about the opportunities and challenges they see for the university.

I’m honored to be joined on my Nebraska tour by Ronnie Green, vice president and vice chancellor of the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and several members of his team. It became clear to me early on how highly Nebraskans regard the work of IANR, and I am fortunate to have Ronnie and Co. along to show me the ropes…and make sure I don’t get lost.

My Nebraska tour is off to a wonderful start. Thanks to my Agricultural Research and Development Center colleagues, and our local Regent, Rob Schafer, for hosting me today. I look forward to seeing you again soon. Next stop: Fremont!

University of Nebraska building renewal plan would invest in facilities for quality education, competitiveness

The University of Nebraska and the state would continue a long and successful partnership to maintain the quality and functionality of NU buildings under a 12-year capital plan announced today by President Hank Bounds.

Getting to Know Nebraska Tour with New University of Nebraska President Hank M. Bounds

During his first week as president of the University of Nebraska, Hank Bounds plans to travel the state on a "getting to know Nebraska tour." With stops in communities all across Nebraska, Dr. Bounds' itinerary is intended to showcase the diversity of the state and introduce him to a large number of people who care deeply about the future of Nebraska and its only public university.

He will meet with business, civic, education and ag leaders and will visit several high schools, community colleges and state colleges in addition to university campuses and research and extension facilities.

Dr. Bounds will be accompanied on the April 12-17 trip by Ronnie Green, vice president for agriculture and vice chancellor of the Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and Brian Hastings, president and chief executive officer of the University of Nebraska Foundation. Members of the Board of Regents and friends of the university will host meetings and events in more than a dozen communities over six days.

We are pleased you will also be a part of Dr. Bounds' first week experience, and invite you to get to know him—as he gets to know Nebraska.

Please click on the links below and tell us which events you will be able to attend.

If you have any questions, please contact the University of Nebraska Office of the President at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (402) 472-8636.

“The Board of Regents has an established process in place for recruiting and selecting the next president of the University of Nebraska which involves equal treatment and consideration of all individuals who wish to be considered for the position. My colleagues and I, as well as the other members of the presidential search committees, will respect and maintain the confidentiality of the search process until four finalists are publicly identified in accordance with Nebraska law.

“Our immediate focus is on attracting a deep, rich and diverse pool of applicants from throughout the country. It would be most unfortunate for the citizens of the state if any particular person’s interest in the position resulted in undermining the legitimacy of the search and kept any highly qualified individuals from applying for the presidency.

“Let me be very clear. This is a fair and competitive process and the Board of Regents seeks and welcomes the candidacy of any person, including the governor, who believes he or she has the qualifications and experiences necessary to effectively lead the University of Nebraska. Our objective is to seek, vet, and hire the most qualified candidate.

“Now that the governor has publicly announced his candidacy for the position, his current requests for one-on-one meetings with the members of the Board of Regents, chancellors and other administrators, and search committee members are inappropriate and will not be honored. To do so would present a problem of fairness and it is not practical to track and offer comparable opportunities to all candidates.”